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Berserker
Sometimes the monsters are real…
For Tor and Skald this is their first Viking raid, and their minds are filled with thoughts of honor and glory. What awaits them are beasts - huge, hairy and fanged, the Alma, who will not suffer intruders in their domain. When the Vikings slaughter a female Alma they soon find themselves in the middle of a battle with vicious creatures bent on bloody revenge. Now they must stand and be counted, for destiny awaits in the mountains, where the hairy ones dance.
Praise for Berserker
I highly recommend Berserker to anyone looking for a fast, fun and exciting horror story that is as well-written as it is original. - SCOTT WHITMORE
The narrative crashes over you like a tidal wave, punches you like a mailed fist, and carries you along with joyful, gory abandon. This book is meant to be consumed with gusto.-INNSMOUTH FREE PRESS
...maintains a delicate balance between character development, plot and brutal action. BERSERKER is an intelligent, fast-paced pulp fantasy novel! William Meikle writes to turns conventions on their heads. - PAGE HORRIFIC
Once again Willie Meikle has crafted a first class adventure story, the narrative rushes along like a Viking longboat caught in a strong tailwind. That's not to say that Willie skimps on characterisation and plot. The story is peppered throughout with Viking mythology which adds to the reading enjoyment. Not that there was any doubt that this was going to be a great read, I mean Vikings verses Yeti, you know that's going to be a killer book. - GINGER NUTS OF HORROR
For Tor and Skald this is their first Viking raid, and their minds are filled with thoughts of honor and glory. What awaits them are beasts - huge, hairy and fanged, the Alma, who will not suffer intruders in their domain. When the Vikings slaughter a female Alma they soon find themselves in the middle of a battle with vicious creatures bent on bloody revenge. Now they must stand and be counted, for destiny awaits in the mountains, where the hairy ones dance.
Praise for Berserker
I highly recommend Berserker to anyone looking for a fast, fun and exciting horror story that is as well-written as it is original. - SCOTT WHITMORE
The narrative crashes over you like a tidal wave, punches you like a mailed fist, and carries you along with joyful, gory abandon. This book is meant to be consumed with gusto.-INNSMOUTH FREE PRESS
...maintains a delicate balance between character development, plot and brutal action. BERSERKER is an intelligent, fast-paced pulp fantasy novel! William Meikle writes to turns conventions on their heads. - PAGE HORRIFIC
Once again Willie Meikle has crafted a first class adventure story, the narrative rushes along like a Viking longboat caught in a strong tailwind. That's not to say that Willie skimps on characterisation and plot. The story is peppered throughout with Viking mythology which adds to the reading enjoyment. Not that there was any doubt that this was going to be a great read, I mean Vikings verses Yeti, you know that's going to be a killer book. - GINGER NUTS OF HORROR
201 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2010
14 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
William Meikle
407 books1,849 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 26, 2016
*I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is it.
Everybody knows that Vikings are badass warriors. It is a huge deal to be invited on your first raid. If you prove yourself, you have a chance to become. Become a man. Become a warrior. Become a true Viking. For Tor and his childhood mate Skald it is the opportunity of a lifetime. It will also be much more than they bargained for when the trip takes an unexpected turn as one of their own foolishly kill a strange snow beast. Oops. Bad idea. There are more. And now, they are pissed off and hungry for blood. Bad idea indeed.
Who doesn't like non-stop Viking, snow beast battle action sprinkled with appropriate amounts of blood and seeped with supernatural lore? Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I would, but Mr. Meikle won me over. I already know he can write and have read several of his works before, but I was afraid this one would be too fantasy pie in the sky for me. It wasn’t. As a matter of fact, for a fairly short format (clocking in at a hair under 5 hours), the characters and the mythos were surprisingly well developed.
It took me a few minutes to get into the groove of the narration for this one, but once it clicked, it really was the perfect choice for this tale. Vikings can’t be the easiest thing to narrate, I would imagine, but Jonathan Waters did a good job keeping pace with the story and fleshing out the characters.
Entertaining and well done all the way around for William Meikle and “Berserker”.
Everybody knows that Vikings are badass warriors. It is a huge deal to be invited on your first raid. If you prove yourself, you have a chance to become. Become a man. Become a warrior. Become a true Viking. For Tor and his childhood mate Skald it is the opportunity of a lifetime. It will also be much more than they bargained for when the trip takes an unexpected turn as one of their own foolishly kill a strange snow beast. Oops. Bad idea. There are more. And now, they are pissed off and hungry for blood. Bad idea indeed.
Who doesn't like non-stop Viking, snow beast battle action sprinkled with appropriate amounts of blood and seeped with supernatural lore? Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I would, but Mr. Meikle won me over. I already know he can write and have read several of his works before, but I was afraid this one would be too fantasy pie in the sky for me. It wasn’t. As a matter of fact, for a fairly short format (clocking in at a hair under 5 hours), the characters and the mythos were surprisingly well developed.
It took me a few minutes to get into the groove of the narration for this one, but once it clicked, it really was the perfect choice for this tale. Vikings can’t be the easiest thing to narrate, I would imagine, but Jonathan Waters did a good job keeping pace with the story and fleshing out the characters.
Entertaining and well done all the way around for William Meikle and “Berserker”.
January 30, 2011
This is a suprisingly short novel (e-novel) but is action packed from the start. You don't even get chance to catch your breath once these raiding bands of vikings come across a strange new land in a storm before you meet what is best described by Miekle himself as a Yeti but these are Yeti's that are cruel and bloodthirsty and after the accidental murder of a female with young the Vikings incurr their beastial wrath and rage and fear fueld chaos ensues.
The adventure over all revolves around the characters of Tor and Skald, the first being a typical honourable and strong viking young man, the second being his wyrd seeing, beserk-fighting friend and their lives and fates become entwined in the gory mess created by the Yeti or Alma attacks as old legends come true and they must use all their strength and wisdom to survive a legend that does not have a happy ending.
I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and not dramatised enough but with the excitement of the rest of the novel with its short punchy chapters pushing you along with the characters struggle it doesn't make too much of a disappointment.
The adventure over all revolves around the characters of Tor and Skald, the first being a typical honourable and strong viking young man, the second being his wyrd seeing, beserk-fighting friend and their lives and fates become entwined in the gory mess created by the Yeti or Alma attacks as old legends come true and they must use all their strength and wisdom to survive a legend that does not have a happy ending.
I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and not dramatised enough but with the excitement of the rest of the novel with its short punchy chapters pushing you along with the characters struggle it doesn't make too much of a disappointment.
January 22, 2011
With Vikings vs Yeti you can't really go wrong, and this book doesn't put a foot out of place.It moves at a hell of a blood splattered pace, and once you reach the end, there's an extra couple of hidden bonus stories. Top package.
December 13, 2011
Loved this story portral of the Yeti is great, a very sensitive and original image of these mythical creatures ... A great story all in well written and worth a read. Action packed and fast moving. Characters what can I say READ IT...Once I got into it couldn't put it down.
April 3, 2011
Viking versus Yeti, as every other review probably says. What more do you need to know? William Meikle puts you in the thick of the blood and gore and the action never lets up until the last page.
August 13, 2021
Narration: Adequate - generally good pacing; however, voices tended to blend together.
MCs: Tor, Skald, Kye
The quick story has the feel of a modern telling of Beowulf, with perhaps some influence by the Thirteenth Warrior/Eaters of the Dead with very little character development. It opens with the slaughter of a pregnant alma (aka yeti); a white furred hominid … making it somewhat difficult find any sympathy for the viking crew now under siege by vengeful “monsters” … and the pseudo honor code periodically paraded out to justify northmen’s actions. In fact, I found the deference to primogeniture of leadership within a raiding party instead of by right of challenge a tad strange, and indicative of the apparent superficial research behind the world building. Regardless, it was still an entertaining story, just not top shelf.
I was given this free review copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AudibleGiveaways #Berserker #JonathanWaters
MCs: Tor, Skald, Kye
The quick story has the feel of a modern telling of Beowulf, with perhaps some influence by the Thirteenth Warrior/Eaters of the Dead with very little character development. It opens with the slaughter of a pregnant alma (aka yeti); a white furred hominid … making it somewhat difficult find any sympathy for the viking crew now under siege by vengeful “monsters” … and the pseudo honor code periodically paraded out to justify northmen’s actions. In fact, I found the deference to primogeniture of leadership within a raiding party instead of by right of challenge a tad strange, and indicative of the apparent superficial research behind the world building. Regardless, it was still an entertaining story, just not top shelf.
I was given this free review copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#AudibleGiveaways #Berserker #JonathanWaters
June 11, 2023
I have read a a lot of the William Meikle books, all of the S Squads and have now started to discover all of the other takes that he has written. Berserker.........simply the BEST. To me this is the best so far
Fast paced, energetic, exciting and sympathetic. Bravery, cowardice and adventure, exploration, the Old God's, treachery all set against the Viking code. The other side, you cannot call them the baddies, show honour and integrity. Quite possibly the best I have read so far, quite possibly the best one ever. I would like to see more of Tor and Skald. A really great pairing!!
Fast paced, energetic, exciting and sympathetic. Bravery, cowardice and adventure, exploration, the Old God's, treachery all set against the Viking code. The other side, you cannot call them the baddies, show honour and integrity. Quite possibly the best I have read so far, quite possibly the best one ever. I would like to see more of Tor and Skald. A really great pairing!!
August 18, 2020
A group of Vikings discover land only to be put into a battle of life and death with a yeti type creature
Well narrated in a very original action packed story highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
Well narrated in a very original action packed story highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review
October 9, 2021
Good story but not for me!
I’m not usually a fan of Viking stories, but it was a good story. The narration was fantastic which I believe enhanced this book for me.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
I’m not usually a fan of Viking stories, but it was a good story. The narration was fantastic which I believe enhanced this book for me.
Sisters Spotlight 💜
March 26, 2012
Fun, exciting read. A gem of a (horror) story
It is tough to express in words how much fun I had reading Berserker by William Meikle (@williemeikle). The story is highly original, the characters compelling, the writing fresh and loaded with great imagery. Action? Plenty of it, and an ending that I didn’t see coming.
Before going too much farther, a word about the premise. Don’t be fooled into thinking this story — which the author himself labelled as “Vikings vs. Yeti” in his Twitter feed — is some eBook version of a sub-B movie found on the SyFy Channel.
Yes, that is essentially what the story boils down to, but Berserker is so much more than some cheesy “man in a rubber suit” movie. The main characters, Tor and his childhood friend Orjan, have flesh on their bones and it takes the reader almost no time at all to become fully invested in what happens to them.
Tor and Orjan, who became a “Skald” — a sort of court jester/psychic — after a crippling childhood accident, are on their first “Viking,” or sailing journey, looking for loot. As part of being “Skald” Orjan descends into a state known as the “wyrd” in which future and past events are re-lived, and as the story opens Orjan senses their future holds one outcome: Doom.
Fighting through a dense ice and sleet storm, the three Viking longboats make landfall and then come to anchor at a recently-abandoned settlement at the head of a fjord. But the small group of huts has not been completely vacated as the Viking band discovers and surrounds a large beast with white fur and hands tipped with razor-sharp nails.
Being Vikings after all, they kill the creature, which turns out to be a female carrying three unborn children, and that sets into motion a battle to death between the Vikings and the band of Yeti, or Alma as they are known. Although the Alma are larger and stronger than the Vikings, the Norsemen won’t go to Valhalla without a fight and the battle scenes are bloody and violent affairs.
More is going on than a battle of survival, however, and Viking mythology comes into the story in a completely natural and organic fashion. I won’t give away any more, but Orjan’s special abilities as a Skald will be needed for Tor and the other Vikings to survive the onslaught.
Berserker had me up late several nights in a row, reading just one more chapter to find out what happened next. As an added bonus, Mr. Meikle has included two of his short stories at the end, and I found them to be just as much fun.
I highly recommend Berserker to anyone looking for a fast, fun and exciting horror story that is as well-written as it is original. I’ll be adding Mr. Meikle’s other stories about “beasties” to my to-read list.
It is tough to express in words how much fun I had reading Berserker by William Meikle (@williemeikle). The story is highly original, the characters compelling, the writing fresh and loaded with great imagery. Action? Plenty of it, and an ending that I didn’t see coming.
Before going too much farther, a word about the premise. Don’t be fooled into thinking this story — which the author himself labelled as “Vikings vs. Yeti” in his Twitter feed — is some eBook version of a sub-B movie found on the SyFy Channel.
Yes, that is essentially what the story boils down to, but Berserker is so much more than some cheesy “man in a rubber suit” movie. The main characters, Tor and his childhood friend Orjan, have flesh on their bones and it takes the reader almost no time at all to become fully invested in what happens to them.
Tor and Orjan, who became a “Skald” — a sort of court jester/psychic — after a crippling childhood accident, are on their first “Viking,” or sailing journey, looking for loot. As part of being “Skald” Orjan descends into a state known as the “wyrd” in which future and past events are re-lived, and as the story opens Orjan senses their future holds one outcome: Doom.
Fighting through a dense ice and sleet storm, the three Viking longboats make landfall and then come to anchor at a recently-abandoned settlement at the head of a fjord. But the small group of huts has not been completely vacated as the Viking band discovers and surrounds a large beast with white fur and hands tipped with razor-sharp nails.
Being Vikings after all, they kill the creature, which turns out to be a female carrying three unborn children, and that sets into motion a battle to death between the Vikings and the band of Yeti, or Alma as they are known. Although the Alma are larger and stronger than the Vikings, the Norsemen won’t go to Valhalla without a fight and the battle scenes are bloody and violent affairs.
More is going on than a battle of survival, however, and Viking mythology comes into the story in a completely natural and organic fashion. I won’t give away any more, but Orjan’s special abilities as a Skald will be needed for Tor and the other Vikings to survive the onslaught.
Berserker had me up late several nights in a row, reading just one more chapter to find out what happened next. As an added bonus, Mr. Meikle has included two of his short stories at the end, and I found them to be just as much fun.
I highly recommend Berserker to anyone looking for a fast, fun and exciting horror story that is as well-written as it is original. I’ll be adding Mr. Meikle’s other stories about “beasties” to my to-read list.
February 21, 2016
I've enjoyed a large number of books published by Gryphonwood Press and "Berserker" by William Meikle is no exception.
I could go on at length, describing the plot and narrative structure, but the easiest / best summary is simply: Vikings vs Yetis. Totally as awesome as it sounds.
If you're looking for subtle complexities, exquisite prose and similar trappings look elsewhere. "Berserker" is a good ole fashioned story with pulpy roots. Just the thing I love to read. Super fast novel to read, the pace was maintained well. The author doesn't skimp on characterization and plot complexity. I was pleasantly surprised at how much depth was created in relatively few words.
Overall, a quick read with very satisfying elements which would appeal to readers of both horror and fantasy. Good stuff and a very fun read.
I could go on at length, describing the plot and narrative structure, but the easiest / best summary is simply: Vikings vs Yetis. Totally as awesome as it sounds.
If you're looking for subtle complexities, exquisite prose and similar trappings look elsewhere. "Berserker" is a good ole fashioned story with pulpy roots. Just the thing I love to read. Super fast novel to read, the pace was maintained well. The author doesn't skimp on characterization and plot complexity. I was pleasantly surprised at how much depth was created in relatively few words.
Overall, a quick read with very satisfying elements which would appeal to readers of both horror and fantasy. Good stuff and a very fun read.
October 30, 2016
Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBoom.
This was an interesting - and different - "survival" story; one that pits man against beast (beast in this sense being some sort of Yeti/snow monster creature. The story moved along at a good pace, not getting bogged down in unnecessary exposition/narrative. The narrator did a decent job, but there were some glitches with the audio file I received (error markers the narrator made that weren't completely removed). This didn't detract too much from the overall experience, but it is probably something that should be rectified.
This was an interesting - and different - "survival" story; one that pits man against beast (beast in this sense being some sort of Yeti/snow monster creature. The story moved along at a good pace, not getting bogged down in unnecessary exposition/narrative. The narrator did a decent job, but there were some glitches with the audio file I received (error markers the narrator made that weren't completely removed). This didn't detract too much from the overall experience, but it is probably something that should be rectified.
March 5, 2020
Pretty good story
All I can say is I liked this story. Sure it has a standard plot device of a character at odds with another character. Then throw in some creatures for a lack of of a better term that want to kill the hero and his men then you have a pretty good story. I have to admit that I read this story before so if I could give it a second read must mean something. So you might want to check this one out.
All I can say is I liked this story. Sure it has a standard plot device of a character at odds with another character. Then throw in some creatures for a lack of of a better term that want to kill the hero and his men then you have a pretty good story. I have to admit that I read this story before so if I could give it a second read must mean something. So you might want to check this one out.
March 21, 2012
I could almost picture Conan as the main protagonist in this story! It's non-stop action with very little time to catch your breath. I love the wilderness setting, the vikings fighting with one another, and the idea of them fighting angry Yeti's! It all makes for great action and a few moments of terror. I like this sort of escapist fare, and it delivers!
May 21, 2012
Absolutly loved this book. Want to read more stories in these Vikings Sagas! I really enjoy the quick read, action style of the author. The characters may start as typical stereotypes, but that just sets the scene and they quickly developed from there. Like the best B monster action adventure movies this story builds fast and then runs full blast to the end.
November 11, 2011
Engaging, pretty much impossible to put down once started. Vikings vs Bigfoot? What more can possibly be said? I wonder how much pestering it would take to get a string of sequels out of Mr. Meikle? Anyone care to join me to find out?
June 30, 2011
Just like others have said, Vikings versus Yeti. Great fun with no pretentions to intellectual fare. Light and fast with a lot of gore.
July 15, 2011
If you like the idea of vikings vs. Yeti....then this is a book for you.
December 11, 2011
This was a fun fast read.
January 28, 2012
Good idea but badly told which sadly makes it very unbelievable.
June 24, 2013
awesome.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews